My school sent out a list yesterday of what our current year 12s are intending to apply for at university. With one exception, all were STEM subjects or subjects with an obvious, likely well-paid, job at the end of it (eg. Real Estate management or somrthing along those lines). One student looking to do a degree in English. No history, geography, languages. As a linguist, I am aware of a number of universities who have closed their language departments in recent years, so low the demand has been.
We see thread after thread on here about how people who are struggling should work harder/should have worked harder at school/ should change careers. We have to pay for our education so studying for studying sake is no longer an option: you do a degree with a job at the end. Years of STEM promotion coupled with poor societal attitudes towards studying the arts and humanities ensures fewer graduates from which to pick as teachers. And this site shows how little we value teachers anyway.
The current crisis in education is undoubtedly fuelled by Tory austerity and clear apathy towards educating the masses. But it has also been a long time in the making with the promotion of STEM, the student loan and fee paying system and a political apathy amongst the British people that has sealed our fate. Our future depends on good quality, balanced education with tolerance and repsect for all disciplines and subjects. There is room for everyone, not just the STEM subjects, and not just ridiculously high earners.
To put it in perspective. My eldest child.is graduating with a 2:1 in cybersecurity, networking and all things IT related. His first job pays more than I am earning as an experienced teacher with responsibilities.